One year after the Fountain of the Four Seasons and its four sculpted maidens returned to their home outside of the Memorial Union, the artwork remains a central gathering point and symbol of Iowa State. 

The fountain, created in 1941 by Christian Petersen, had been offline for nearly two years before its restoration and reinstallation in August 2024. 

“The past year, having the fountain back on has led to having one of our most iconic works of art in the Art on Campus Collection to be enjoyed by the campus community,” Sydney Marshall, curator of the Art on Campus Collection and the Anderson Sculpture Garden, said. “Working with objects conservator Francis Miller has been a great learning opportunity, and his dedicated project management on this conservation project has been an impressive feat.” 

For both Marshall and Miller, the restoration process offered a window into the deep emotional connections the Iowa State community has with the fountain. 

“While working in the fountain, I was surprised by how frequently visitors, students and faculty would stop and chat with us,” Marshall said. “We received so many stories from alumni about how this fountain held important memories to them in their Iowa State Experience. I don’t think I realized how beloved this sculpture was to so many.” 

Miller echoed those sentiments, recalling the widespread appreciation voiced for the restoration and preservation of the fountain. 

“Everyone was so grateful, and would share their personal admiration and historical connections with the fountain,” Miller said. 

The reinstallation of Petersen’s figures, replicated to preserve the originals, ensured the fountain could continue serving as a landmark while also protecting the artist’s work. 

“Seeing Petersen’s 1941 sculptures in University Museum storage a year later was a bit shocking, they were so weathered, a good reminder of why all the effort was made to save the art carved and molded by his hands,” Miller said. 

Marshall expressed that the restoration of the Fountain of the Four Seasons reflects the University Museum’s broader mission of preserving art that shapes Iowa State’s identity. 

“Truly, everyone passes by the fountain in their campus life, and for important events like weddings, alumni reunions and new student campus visits,” Marshall said. “Centering art that is accessible to all is such an important aspect of what creates our beautiful campus.” 

This fall, University Museums will celebrate another milestone: its 50th anniversary. 

“The Fountain of the Four Seasons truly is an iconic work of art in the Art on Campus Collection,” Marshall said. “It provides an entryway into the public art on campus to so many, and it continues to embody the spirit of community we aim to build.”